Weak WWE Raw at least pushes Del Rio vs. Swagger

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 5:53 p.m.

While a few more matches were made official for WrestleMania 29, the show was as quiet as the Pittsburgh crowd.

I thought WWE generated some more fan interest in the Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger WM29 match, but all else was rather routine.

Let's review:

John Cena promo about being "ready" for The Rock is interrupted by The Prime Time Players. REACT: Yes, The PTPs kicked off a bizarre opening segment with Cena. Titus O'Neil's "Rufus Pancake Patterson" character was entertaining, but O'Neil has been consistently good since his debut. I liked Cena acknowledging that by saying, "You guys got something here. They may not like you, but I don't think they know you." It was funny, and appropriate, for WWE to acknowledge the similarities between Cena and Darren Young.

Kaitlyn tells Cody Rhodes, "You can have that mustache, and you can have theirs," in reference to The Bella Twins. REACT: This didn't even make sense.

Undertaker speaks, calling his feud with CM Punk "personal" and saying he's going to "hurt you (Punk)." REACT: Expected promo. Punk starting out with a talking urn was somewhat comical. Interesting and somewhat lost on this match is Punk hinting that a countout or DQ is still a loss for the Undertaker. Punk juggling the urn and dropping it was surprising. WWE didn't go overboard here at all.

Kane/Daniel Bryan beat Primo/Epico. REACT: Rosa Mendes' dancing goes back to the days of pre-WWE PG. Great match ruined by AJ Lee coming out with her now long-forgotten dance around ringside. I get the point that it was to help set up Dolph Ziggler/Big E Langston vs. Kane/Bryan at WrestleMania 29, but it just wasn't the way to go about it.

Chris Jericho chats with Fandango. REACT: Solid.

Clips of Alicia Fox and Natalya passing out nets in Rwanda. REACT: Superb trip and video.

Alberto Del Rio beats Cody Rhodes. REACT: Nice background on Del Rio wanting to wrestle in the historical wrestling city of Pittsburgh. Also nice mention of both wrestlers' amateur backgrounds. Solid match time, helped by Del Rio's "bad knee." Strange to have "USA pops". Good tap-out.

Jack Swagger runs in and attacks Del Rio. REACT: WWE put this segment over more than any other on the show, and it worked. I liked it. Wise tease of Del Rio almost attacking Zeb Colter. I thought the Patriot Lock "ankle break" angle on Ricardo Rodriguez was excellent.

Wade Barrett beats The Miz and Chris Jericho. REACT: Nice match pace, with a super-superplex standing out. I also like the moonsault counter on the figure-four attempt. Numerous rollup teases and close pins got redundant, but expected in this kind of match. I'm fine with the rollup finish.

WWE fans tout. REACT: Imagine if WWE did tout in the pre-WWE PG era?

Triple H and Paul Heyman chat. REACT: Pretty strong segment that I liked. I didn't get why Heyman said Brock Lesnar "liked the footage" of HHH beating him up from a few weeks ago. The funny stipulations from Heyman (blindfold/cuffed and shackled and Stephanie for the winner, or loser) were decent. Triple H needing his sledgehammer to keep away Lesnar seemed desperate, although Lesnar had his chair. The WM29 stipulations are fine (No Holds Barred, no DQ, no countout, no stoppages, and HHH's career on the line). I was hoping HHH would have signed the contract in Heyman's blood on his forehead. No such luck. WWE PG and all, you know.

ANALYSIS: The first hour of this show was absolutely brutal. The extremely quiet crowd didn't do WWE any favors either. There were a couple good matches in the last two hours, but nothing superb on this show. The Swagger-Del Rio feud got a major boost, and that was a huge need. GRADE: D.

<p>WWE Monday Night Raw didn't deliver its best effort.</p><p> </p><p>While a few more matches were made official for WrestleMania 29, the show was as quiet as the Pittsburgh crowd.</p><p> </p><p>I thought WWE generated some more fan interest in the Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger WM29 match, but all else was rather routine.</p><p> </p><p>Let's review:</p><p> </p><p>John Cena promo about being "ready" for The Rock is interrupted by The Prime Time Players. REACT: Yes, The PTPs kicked off a bizarre opening segment with Cena. Titus O'Neil's "Rufus Pancake Patterson" character was entertaining, but O'Neil has been consistently good since his debut. I liked Cena acknowledging that by saying, "You guys got something here. They may not like you, but I don't think they know you." It was funny, and appropriate, for WWE to acknowledge the similarities between Cena and Darren Young.</p><p> </p><p>John Cena beats Darren Young. REACT: Nice match set-up, but a squash. Next.</p><p> </p><p>Ryback beats David Otunga. REACT: Another squash.</p><p> </p><p>Fandango vs. The Great Khali doesn't happen. REACT: It's gotten past the point of ridiculousness that Fandango hasn't debuted. Even Natayla getting in a few lines didn't help.</p><p> </p><p>R-Truth beats Damien Sandow. REACT: The fourth pointless match in a row. Worst start to Raw in quite awhile. Countouts are silly, especially intentional ones.</p><p> </p><p>Kaitlyn tells Cody Rhodes, "You can have that mustache, and you can have theirs," in reference to The Bella Twins. REACT: This didn't even make sense.</p><p> </p><p>Undertaker speaks, calling his feud with CM Punk "personal" and saying he's going to "hurt you (Punk)." REACT: Expected promo. Punk starting out with a talking urn was somewhat comical. Interesting and somewhat lost on this match is Punk hinting that a countout or DQ is still a loss for the Undertaker. Punk juggling the urn and dropping it was surprising. WWE didn't go overboard here at all.</p><p> </p><p>Kane/Daniel Bryan beat Primo/Epico. REACT: Rosa Mendes' dancing goes back to the days of pre-WWE PG. Great match ruined by AJ Lee coming out with her now long-forgotten dance around ringside. I get the point that it was to help set up Dolph Ziggler/Big E Langston vs. Kane/Bryan at WrestleMania 29, but it just wasn't the way to go about it.</p><p> </p><p>Chris Jericho chats with Fandango. REACT: Solid.</p><p> </p><p>Clips of Alicia Fox and Natalya passing out nets in Rwanda. REACT: Superb trip and video.</p><p> </p><p>Alberto Del Rio beats Cody Rhodes. REACT: Nice background on Del Rio wanting to wrestle in the historical wrestling city of Pittsburgh. Also nice mention of both wrestlers' amateur backgrounds. Solid match time, helped by Del Rio's "bad knee." Strange to have "USA pops". Good tap-out.</p><p> </p><p>Jack Swagger runs in and attacks Del Rio. REACT: WWE put this segment over more than any other on the show, and it worked. I liked it. Wise tease of Del Rio almost attacking Zeb Colter. I thought the Patriot Lock "ankle break" angle on Ricardo Rodriguez was excellent.</p><p>Booker T into the WWE Hall of Fame. REACT: Great clips.</p><p> </p><p>Randy Orton/Sheamus beat 3MB members Drew McIntyre/Heath Slater. REACT: Surprising offense from 3MB, but I guess WWE felt the need to make the faces appear a little vulnerable. Nice match finish.</p><p> </p><p>The Shield attacks, but Big Show joins Orton/Sheamus. REACT: I'm liking this feud. I don't get why WWE took so long to get to it, but I guess it makes Big Show look more untrusting. I think.</p><p> </p><p>Dolph Ziggler beats Kofi Kingston. REACT: Solid back-and-forth match. Decent aftermath with another WM29 match officially set up with Ziggler/Langston vs. Kane/Bryan.</p><p> </p><p>Wade Barrett beats The Miz and Chris Jericho. REACT: Nice match pace, with a super-superplex standing out. I also like the moonsault counter on the figure-four attempt. Numerous rollup teases and close pins got redundant, but expected in this kind of match. I'm fine with the rollup finish.</p><p> </p><p>WWE fans tout. REACT: Imagine if WWE did tout in the pre-WWE PG era?</p><p> </p><p>Triple H and Paul Heyman chat. REACT: Pretty strong segment that I liked. I didn't get why Heyman said Brock Lesnar "liked the footage" of HHH beating him up from a few weeks ago. The funny stipulations from Heyman (blindfold/cuffed and shackled and Stephanie for the winner, or loser) were decent. Triple H needing his sledgehammer to keep away Lesnar seemed desperate, although Lesnar had his chair. The WM29 stipulations are fine (No Holds Barred, no DQ, no countout, no stoppages, and HHH's career on the line). I was hoping HHH would have signed the contract in Heyman's blood on his forehead. No such luck. WWE PG and all, you know.</p><p> </p><p><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The first hour of this show was absolutely brutal. The extremely quiet crowd didn't do WWE any favors either. There were a couple good matches in the last two hours, but nothing superb on this show. The Swagger-Del Rio feud got a major boost, and that was a huge need. <b>GRADE: D.</b></p><p> </p><p><b>LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS</b></p><p> </p><p><b>WWE</b></p><p> </p><p>Diamond Dallas Page and Scott Hall reach $80,000 goal to cover hip replacement surgery, physical therapy, dental work and other medical expenses for Scott Hall. REACT: Awesome response by wrestling fans.</p><p> </p><p>Rey Mysterio done with WWE? REACT: Doubtful. Mysterio doesn't seem to ever quit.</p>